# Pirates face Cy Young favorite Misiorowski in crucial Brewers series

> Pittsburgh sends bullpen-heavy lineup against Milwaukee's dominant ace as Brewers eye division clinch.
- Title: Pirates face Cy Young favorite Misiorowski in crucial Brewers…
- Summary: Pittsburgh sends bullpen-heavy lineup against Milwaukee's dominant ace as Brewers eye division clinch. Jacob Misiorowski's historic .156 batting average…
- Keywords: pittsburgh pirates, milwaukee brewers, jacob misiorowski, cy young award, lake bachar, don kelly, nl central, pnc park, konnor griffin, bryan reynolds, oneil cruz, brandon lowe
- Source: Pittsburgh Pirates On SI — https://si.com/mlb/pirates/onsi/pittsburgh-pirates-lineup-probable-cy-young-jacob-misiorowski
- Published: 2026-09-15T20:08:19+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: pittsburgh pirates, milwaukee brewers, jacob misiorowski, cy young award, lake bachar, don kelly, nl central, pnc park, konnor griffin, bryan reynolds, oneil cruz, brandon lowe
## Brewers can clinch tonight
Milwaukee needs a win over Pittsburgh and a Cubs loss in Atlanta to lock up the NL Central. The Pirates counter with a bullpen-heavy approach at PNC Park.
## Lake Bachar opens for Pirates
Don Kelly taps reliever Lake Bachar as opener for the 6:40 p.m. game. Bachar has a 3.52 ERA in nine starts this season but will work briefly tonight.
## Facing the Cy Young favorite
Jacob Misiorowski, 24, enters at 14-5 with a 1.95 ERA and 236 strikeouts in 161 1/3 innings. He's the overwhelming favorite for the NL Cy Young Award.
## Historic batting average against
Opponents are hitting just .156 against Misiorowski this season. That figure would rank as one of the lowest marks ever recorded by a qualified starter.

> opponents are hitting just .156 against him this season, a figure that would stand as one of the lowest marks ever recorded
## Pure velocity dominance
Misiorowski is MLB's hardest-throwing starter, routinely sitting in triple digits. His upper-90s slider is elite, and he struck out nine Cubs on Sept. 8.
## Griffin leads off at short
Konnor Griffin bats first at shortstop, followed by Brandon Lowe at second and Bryan Reynolds in right. Pittsburgh deploys its best lineup against elite velocity.
## Cruz anchors middle of order
Oneil Cruz plays center field in the cleanup spot. Nick Gonzales, Ryan O'Hearn, Rafael Flores Jr., Spencer Horwitz, and Jake Mangum round out the lineup.
## Strategy: put ball in play
The lineup prioritizes contact and power with Cruz, Reynolds, and Lowe. Griffin's speed at the top could disrupt if he reaches base against Misiorowski's dominance.
## Pirates at .500, season fading
Pittsburgh enters 75-75 after competitive recent play, but postseason hopes have faded. Milwaukee has far higher stakes with a division title on the line tonight.
## Key takeaway

Jacob Misiorowski's historic .156 batting average against and triple-digit velocity make him nearly unhittable this season.